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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Paytm SBI Card vs Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

SBI Card

Paytm SBI Card

7.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkRuPay
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ICICI Bank

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹10,000
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeaturePaytm SBI CardEmirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹10,000
Joining Fee₹499₹10,000
Fee Waiver SpendN/AN/A
Base Reward Rate1%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsSkywards Miles
NetworkRuPayVisa
Editor Rating7.5/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Paytm SBI Card

  • 0% on Paytm Mall
  • 0% on Paytm Travel
  • 0% on Paytm Movies
  • 0% on Paytm App Spends

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

  • 2.5% on Emirates Bookings

Pros & Cons

Paytm SBI Card

Pros

  • 3% reward points on Paytm Mall, movies, and travel bookings via Paytm app.
  • 2% reward points on all other purchases made through the Paytm app.
  • 1% reward points on all other retail spends, including offline and online stores.
  • Complimentary 1-year Paytm First Membership worth ₹750 as a welcome benefit.

Cons

  • No annual fee waiver based on spending; fee is fixed at ₹499.
  • No complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access.
  • Rewards are credited as Paytm Gift Vouchers, not direct statement credit.

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

Pros

  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for the primary cardholder.
  • Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver Tier membership providing priority check-in and boarding.
  • High reward rate of 2.5 Skywards Miles per ₹100 on all spends (except exclusions).
  • Generous movie benefit with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹750 off, 4 times a month.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹10,000 with no specified spend-based waiver.
  • High foreign currency markup of 3.5% despite being a premium travel card.
  • Miles are primarily valuable only for Emirates loyalists.

Our Verdict

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Paytm SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose Paytm SBI Card if

High reward rates of 2-3% on the Paytm ecosystem make it very rewarding for frequent app users.

Choose Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card if

Silver Tier status and high mile earn rate on Emirates bookings make it highly rewarding for loyalists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Paytm SBI Card or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Paytm SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Paytm SBI Card and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Paytm SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹10,000.
Which card has better rewards: Paytm SBI Card or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Paytm SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Paytm Mall and Paytm Travel. Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card offers 1% base rewards with bonuses on Emirates Bookings. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Paytm SBI Card and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Paytm SBI Card and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Paytm SBI Card or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
For beginners, Paytm SBI Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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